Torch, Summer 1983

Son (Romans 8:29b). This process will not be attained in this life . Paul so testified that he had not attained - but that he kept on striving, following the example of Christ (Philippians 3: 12). Nonetheless , this implies an active process whereby a practical application of what is learned of Christ is applied to every man's lifestyle (Luke 6:40). WHY DISCIPLE OTHERS? And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name ofthe Father, and ofthe Son, and ofthe Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28: I8-20 In Christian circles today, discipleship is often thought of as a special ministry to be performed by a special staff member, and not as the normal everyday part of our Christian experience. We need to be reminded that the commission in Matthew 28 is to go and make disciples. This commission is to the whole church . It is not optional. It is a command. Therefore, it should be a major portion of the work of the body of Christ. As seen in the life of the apostle Paul, and Jesus before him, the process of discipleship is more than the transmitting of facts; it involves the transference of a life Gary Kuhne writes so sublimely of this truth in his book , The Dynamics ofPersonal Follow-up. He states, " . .. personal follow-up is not only methodology, but also life transference. Thus, there can be no substitute for a dynamic relationship with Christ in your own life if you seek to be effective in helping someone else grow ." If successful discipling revolves around life transference and seeing your life reproduced in others, what will you reproduce? You will reproduce yourself, and in so doing you will either lead or mislead. It takes a true disciple to make a disciple. Jesus did not say, "Listen to me and I will make you fishers of men ." He said, "Follow me" (Matthew 4: 19). He took twelve men who stayed with Him and observed His life: how He reacted, what He did. He formed an intimate relationship with them so much so that they asked Him to teach them how to pray (Luke I I : I). Therefore, the nurturing of disciples is not merely formal teaching but also informal teaching in the school of life itself. A child grows and learns from his parents by word of mouth and example. Then when that child falls short of this training , he is disciplined. It is the same with the new believer in Christ; however, the method of disciplining is somewhat different. We must remember that the child in this case is an adult who is trying to overcome a lifetime of acquired bad habits, and we must emulate Jesus' methods. Jesus never failed to turn the failures of the twelve into positive learning experiences. Beyond that, He used a method that was most successful then, and will still work today . (I) He delegated authority (Matthew 4:19), and ministry (Mark 6:7,12,13). (2) He gave detailed instructions (Mark 6:8-11 ). (3) He demanded accountability (Matthew I I :29). (4) He delighted in giving recognition (Mark 6:31). And through all of the above He always supervised: reviewing past lessons, analyzing failures, and meeting people's needs. All aspects of the church's ministry should be aimed at making disciples. The pulpit ministry or congregational discipleship, Sunday school, home Bible studies, and personal discipling are all areas of discipleship. In discipling from the pulpit, the pastor can instruct the whole congregation simultaneously. In the large group, the pastor can impart his vision in the manner that the Apostle Paul conveyed his vision to the early church. This large group creates a sense of importance of the vision and makes it possible to influence a greater number of people. However, this phase of discipling is impersonal and does not demand much from the individual , but it does have a vital place in building the disciple . Home Bible studies, cell groups, and growth groups provide a good setting for the principles of life transference. Not only is there a teacher , but his life becomes a model for those in the group. It also allows for the principle of accountab ility in the life of the believer. Believers as they grow in the Lord can also observe the individual members of the group and can exercise their Biblical responsibilities toward one another. Personal discipleship is perhaps the most important, as it allows for the close personal relationship needed for teaching the new disciple and exemplifying the Christian lifestyle before him. As a pastor, I have dealt with the small group plan of discipleship more than with any other method . I select a group of men who have· a heart for lost souls and who are faithful. I involve them in a 6:30 a.m. Bible study for a period of at least one year. I have seen God richly bless these men in the area of growth. Some are attending Grace and Dallas seminaries. One is pastoring in Florida. Several have become deacons. One has enrolled in Bible college and many of them are presently providing the leadership for our church. Discipleship pays off in producing quality leadership for the Kingdom of God. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the pe1fecting of the saints.for the edifying of the body o.f Christ: Ephesians 4: 11, 12 This is the ultimate goal of discipleship: that the saints would be brought to a point of maturity to do the work of the ministry and that they would build up the body of Christ . •